Topic Contents

Heart Failure Complications

Topic Overview

Even if you are treating your
heart failure successfully, you may develop a
complication that can be serious and life-threatening. It is important to
identify complications of heart failure as soon as possible, because some can be
extremely serious conditions. You can discuss your complications with your
doctor and learn to take the proper steps to prevent them. The table
below outlines the complications of heart failure.

Common complications of heart failure

Complication

What is it?

What problems does it cause?

Atrial fibrillation

An irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia)

Can make heart failure
worse

Greatly increases risk of stroke

Can cause
palpitations

Ventricular fibrillation or tachycardia

Irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias)

Syncope
(fainting)

Palpitations

Sudden death

Kidney failure

Reduced functioning of your kidneys

Decreased urine
output

Fatigue, poor appetite, lethargy

Ultimately
life-threatening

Anemia

Decreased oxygen-carrying hemoglobin in red blood cells

Weakness and fatigue

May raise risk of problems linked to heart failure

Stroke

Your brain is deprived of oxygen because its blood
supply has been significantly decreased or cut off.

Loss of cognitive or motor
function

Can be life-threatening

Heart valve condition

A leaky or tight valve reduces the efficiency of the heart's
pumping action.

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